Tour Summary
| duration | 6 days / 5 nights |
|---|---|
| group size | minimum 2 / maximum 14 / average 6 |
| accommodation | 5 nights Cuban Guesthouses - air-conditioned rooms with ensuite bathroom. Twinshare. |
| single supplement | Single Room for the tour - US$145 extra (read more) |
| transport | Private air-conditioned transport throughout: mini-bus, micro-bus, or taxi depending on group size |
| activities included | Walking tour of Old Havana, Visit to community art projects of Callejon de Hammel and Fusterlandia, Visit to Tobacco Farmer's house |
| other inclusions | 5 breakfasts, airport arrival transfer, local guide throughout |
| suggested combinations | Combine with an Eastern Cuba Short Stay, or a Beach stay package. |
| Can Americans join this tour? | Yes! This tour forms a great base for a legal trip to Cuba. Read more about how to make your trip to Cuba legal. |
Tour Description
A journey into the Western provinces of Cuba offers a taste of both Cuba's rural and urban life with some spectacular scenery along the way. We visit some community art projects in Havana and then the mountain communities of Las Terrazas and Soroa, that are surrounded by some of Cuba's lush forest. Viñales offers a charming village atmosphere, and some stunning mountainous scenery, sprawling tobacco fields and friendly locals. We include a visit to a tobacco farmer's house and learn how to roll the perfect Cuban cigar. There are also opportunities to experience Cuba's famous white sand beaches of Cayo Levisa and Cayo Jutias near to Vinales.
Itinerary Summary
| Day 1 | Arrival Day Havana |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Soroa via Las Terrazas |
| Day 3 | Viñales |
| Day 4 | Viñales |
| Day 5 | Havana |
| Day 6 | Departure Day |
PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries for the tours in Cuba can and do change during the course of the year due to a variety of reasons. We are not always able to advise you in advance of these changes. We ask for your understanding and flexibility in these cases.
6 day video
Itinerary Details
Day 1 - Arrive Havana
Arrive in Havana at any time. Today is the arrival day of the tour so there are no planned activities and you can check into the arrival guesthouse and relax or go and explore the city. One of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Adventure among the splendorous crumbling architecture of the streets of Central and Old Havana, and sit on the famous sea wall (El Malecon) to take in the view and some fresh air, and to socialize with the colourful and friendly 'Habaneros'.
Day 2 - Soroa vía Las Terrazas
On the way to Soroa we stop by at a couple of street art projects as well as the eco-community of Las Terrazas. The first street art project is the Callejon de Hammel where local resident Salvador Gonzáles Escalona has decorated, and painted in vibrant colours, a pedestrian alleyway with scrap objects like bathtubs, hand pumps, and pin wheels, with many works being dedicated to various Afro-Cuban deities. It has now become a cultural focal point with workshops for young Cuban children to learn painting.
About lunch time we reach the mountain community of Las Terrazas which was built as a reforestation project in the 1960s and is now a Unesco Biosphere Reserve. You can take a walk around the town to meet the friendly locals. In Las Terrazas there are also art, woodwork and pottery studios that are open to the public.
We eventually arrive to the mountain resort town of Soroa where we stay in the homes of the local humble residents. There are quite a few attractions around this heavily forested area including a short trek to a waterfall, a steep walk to a lookout, and an orchid garden.
Day 3 - Viñales
Reaching Viñales we find ourselves surrounded by picturesque limestone pincushion hills - called (“mogotes”). Vinales is one of the more agriculturally productive areas, so an abundance of local seasonal fruit and vegetables is always on offer such as enormous avocados and mangoes, pineapples, papaya, guava, and a several varieties of sweet potatoes. It's one of the cooler areas of Cuba, so it's also a nice escape from the hotter parts of the country. The nightlife is very active in this village with the local residents more than willing participants in dancing to the local live music.
This afternoon we include a visit to a tobacco farmers house to learn how to roll a perfect Cuban cigar.
Day 4 - Viñales
Today is a free day to choose your own adventure in Vinales. There are plenty of outdoor activities on offer, such as exploring caves, hiking in the valley, biking, horseback riding or simply enjoying the views of the valley and sprawling tobacco fields.
There are also the options of doing some voluntary work in a local organic farm (and staying for dinner!), or heading to one of the beautiful beaches nearby - Cayo Levisa or Cayo Jutias.
Day 5 - Havana
On the way back to Havana, we visit the fishing village of Jaimanitas and the home of the famous artist Jose Fuster. Fuster has made his entire home, and much of the surrounding neighbourhood, into an artwork using tiles in mosaic forms. Now referred to as Fusterlandia, it is a unique work of public art with over 80 houses decorated with ornate murals and domes to suit the personality of each of Fuster's neighbours. He has built a chess park with giant boards and tables, a theatre, and public swimming pools. Nowadays, Fuster’s art is a cherished part of Cuban culture and joins the rank of other public artworks such as that of Gaudi in Barcelona or that of Brâncuși in the Romanian city of Targu Jiu.
Upon arrival in Havana the guide will take you on a walking tour of Old Havana. In Havana, there are plenty of restaurant and bar options to celebrate this last night of tour with your guide.
Day 6 -Depart Havana
Today you are free to depart at anytime.
We recommend you spend a couple extra nights in our guesthouses in Havana to further explore this unique city.
Summary of Travel Times
| Havana to Soroa | 2 hours |
|---|---|
| Soroa to Viñales | 3 hours |
| Viñales to Havana | 4 hours |
Arrival and Departure Accommodation in Havana
The first and last nights of the tour in Cuba will be in guesthouse accommodation, centrally located in either Old Havana, Central Havana, or Vedado.
- We include an arrival transfer from the Havana airport (or from anywhere else in Havana if you are already in Cuba) to the joining guesthouse accommodation.
- On the booking form, you can request extra nights before or after the tour in the same guesthouse you will have for the tour. Click here to see prices.
We also offer other accommodation options in Havana for before or after the tour.
Late arrivals or Early departures
Late Arrival - If you plan to arrive on Day 2 or after, we can arrange for you to catch up to the group. This may involve you paying transport costs to do so.
Early Departure - The group will arrive back in Havana, around midday on Day 5, so a departure from Cuba in the evening of Day 5 is possible. An earlier departure than this is also possible and may involve you paying transport costs for us to send you back to Havana by yourself.
Spending money
We estimate you will need between 300 and 500 CUC for local expenses during the tour, such food and optional activities (but not including the Local Payment). Click here to see details of expenses you will have while on the tour in Cuba.
Not included in the Tour
- International Flights
- Visa and passport fees
- Insurance (Travel Medical Insurance is required to participate on the tour)
- All meals (except for 5 breakfasts)
- Drinks
- Tips
- Optional activities / day-tours / excursions
- Airport departure transfer